Our view: Swayze cafeteria work critical

Parents send their children to schools each day with the expectation that not only will the students' educational needs be met, but their nutritional needs as well.

For many at-risk students, the hot breakfasts and lunches they receive while at school may be their only balanced meals of the day. Nutritional services are ultimately as critical to their quality of life as academics.

So we were alarmed when we learned the Swayze Elementary cafeteria was in disrepair with a broken ice machine, two of four ovens out of service, peeling floor tiles and rusted pipes.

Thankfully, so was Ouachita Parish Schools Superintendent Bob Webber when it was brought to his attention by Principal Dana Jenkins.

Webber was candid in his assessment of the school cafeteria, calling conditions there "disgusting" and unacceptable.

We appreciate the Ouachita Parish School Board's quick reaction as well, approving Webber's directive to renovate the cafeteria during the Christmas break.

Swayze's cafeteria workers should be commended for making the best of the situation, making sure the meals provided are safe even under less than ideal conditions.

For example, since the ice machine is broken, workers keep cold food refrigerated until just before serving to the children.

But the situation at Swayze should also be a reminder of priorities.

We're happy the Ouachita Parish School Board can afford to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to provide artificial turf football fields, but if that's the case, it can certainly afford to equip school cafeterias properly for its students.

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Our view: Swayze cafeteria work critical

Parents send their children to schools each day with the expectation that not only will the students' educational needs be met, but their nutritional needs as well.